Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to form New Confederation after leaving ECOWAS

In a historic development, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have embarked on the journey to form a new confederation, marking a significant shift in regional dynamics. The initiative, discussed during a high-profile meeting in Ouagadougou, underscores the growing cooperation among these Sahelian nations. The gathering, attended by ministers from all three countries and witnessed by an AFP journalist, signals a concerted effort to forge deeper ties and enhance regional integration.

At the heart of the discussions is the establishment of a confederation, building upon the foundations laid by the recently formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Spearheaded by the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the AES represents a strategic alliance aimed at bolstering defense and economic cooperation in the region. General Kassoum Coulibaly, Burkina Faso’s Defence Minister, articulated the need to develop robust mechanisms and legal frameworks to facilitate the smooth functioning of the envisioned confederation.

Echoing this sentiment, General Salifou Modi of Niger expressed confidence in the outlined procedures, emphasizing their potential to benefit the populations of all three nations. The proposed confederation aligns with the broader objective of fostering unity among West African neighbors, as evidenced by the endorsement of the idea by the foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger during a meeting in Bamako last December.

Central to discussions surrounding the confederation is the prospect of establishing a common currency—a move seen as a step towards reclaiming economic sovereignty and reducing dependency on external influences. General Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger underscored the importance of breaking free from perceived “colonial” legacies, highlighting the potential of a shared currency to achieve this objective.

The decision to form a new confederation comes in the wake of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc they helped found in 1975. Their suspension from ECOWAS followed military coups that ousted elected civilian governments, underscoring the turbulent political landscape that has characterized the region in recent years.

Since 2020, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have grappled with escalating jihadist violence and experienced political instability marked by successive military coups. Against this backdrop, the initiative to establish a new confederation signals a collective effort to address common challenges and pursue shared objectives, heralding a new chapter in the region’s geopolitical landscape.